National Treasure: Edge of History

I've just binged through season 1. Frankly I am really surprised at the ratings and reviews here on IMDB. Seems like a lot of folks have an ax to grind with Disney. This was never intended as an intellectual masterpiece. It's a very simple family (primarily teenagers and younger) entertainment. I am a few decades past being a teen yet was a big fan of the National Treasure movies. This series is a pleasant resurection of an age old premise that works: a treasure hunt. I particularly liked and appreciated the homage paid to the original movies. The premise set up with agent Sandusky, the inclusion of artifacts from the films, and the integration of Riley into the story was delightful. Come on guys, TV can be just a pleasant pastime and this fills the bill. The actors are all fine, and it's always a delight to see Catherine Zeta Jones.

Not sure why there is so much hate for this. But most of the reviews seem to be written after only two episodes, so are clearly just people whinging for the sake of it.

It's a bit slower than the films (for obvious reasons), and has a very tedious link to the original movies, but i did not think it was anywhere as near as bad as the reviews i have read on here.

I will be continuing on with the rest of the show, as i think it is worth watching.

But like others, I'm still hoping they make a 3rd movie with the original cast before cage gets too old to pull it off (possibly already at that stage) or at least complete the story they left us hanging on.

This definitely feels like a CW show, but not necessarily in a bad way. It still has a lot of the charm of the original, albeit without Nic Cage, Sean Bean, or Diane Kruger lending their charisma. Some of the clues and character decisions are cheesey, but so were the ones in the original movies. The historical references are...dubious, but again so were the ones in the original movies. Some of the dialogue is over the top, but not irredeemably so. They also got several actors from the movies to lend their talents, which is nice.

Overall despite a few drawbacks it's a fun romp, and definitely more enjoyable than Peacock's "The Lost Symbol," which I felt kind of lost the charm of the movies it was based on.

I've got through the first two episodes, find it interesting enough. Realize this IS NOT going to be extravagant like the movies, and slower burn as it's a series. It has no more plot devices than the movies either, so don't hang on that withering piece of fruit from other reviewers...

On to the review.

First episode is getting to know Jess and her friend Tess. Setup is on par with Laura Croft IMO, makes sense for this type of character. I think she's a little too curious, too quickly but they have to start somewhere. Love that, just like in the movies, she's taking in info, looking for clues, acting on them, stuff happens. A pleasant cameo by a certain master mason from movies is a great touch. I'm looking forward to seeing how the world building progresses, story unfolds, and treasures to be found.

I normally do not feel the need to review something, but with how many negative reviews are on here, I do. All of these Negative Nancy's were expecting the show to be JUST like the movie when a show and a movie are two different kinds of artistic interpretation. We knew it wouldn't have the old characters to the extent that the movies did and that it would include newer characters.

That being said, I am actually thoroughly enjoying not only the acting of the main college-aged cast, but also the diversity within it. The only character/actor that I am not enjoying in this is Catherine's character, Billie.

It's not meant to feel like the movies, because it's not a movie. It's a TV show with MUCH younger characters than that of the original duology, which WILL make an impact on the feel of the show.

It has the history and it has the puzzles. It may show it in a different way, but guess what? It's been 15 years, which mean technology is also being used differently, but that doesn't and shouldn't mean it's bad every time.

If you loved the movies, give this series a shot and make the decision for yourself. Don't listen to all the naysayers.